This is the second of two Ramsay autobiographies on the market, the other being Playing with Fire, and although it probably didn’t help that I read the two of them out of order, I do think that Playing with Fire was better. That said, they do cover different subject matter, except for in the last sixty or so pages of Humble Pie which would essentially act as an introduction to the second book, if you read them in order. It’s just kind of hard to read about something that he’s looking forward to at the time of writing, when you already know what happens.

Still, it’s a great read, and Ramsay is a more-than competent writer – it probably comes from writing the dozens of cookbooks that he has on the market. Here, we learn about his early life with his abusive father, as well as his later life with his wife and kids, his father-in-law Chris going in to business with him, and his heroin addict brother, who he has mixed feelings for.

If you’re a fan of Ramsay’s or if you love food then this is the book for you, although I’d recommend picking up both books at once and reading them back to back, if you’re that interested. The great thing about them is that they’re easy to get lost in, because there’s always something happening that you want to hear more about. This book in particular is also well-divided by subject matter, so you can skip in to sections like ‘Football‘, ‘The Great Walk-Out‘ and ‘Ronnie‘ to find out more about whatever interests you . I wouldn’t bother with that, though – read it from cover to cover and you’ll be satisfied.

Plus, it comes with a bunch of old photographs too, from the present-day family to a young Gordon and even his father dressed up in country and western gear.